(TGA) - Hello, we were scheduled to fly non-stop out of Boston and back, but I was just notified that my flight home now has a stop in North Carolina, but we do not change planes. How does this work with customs? Will I have to go through customs at NC, or when we get to Boston?
Thank you for any help you may have. I'm not very happy as we paid for non-stop, but other than re-book for different days, I think I'm stuck.
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I'm pretty sure you will clear US customs at your first US stop, in your case NC. Even if you don't change plans, you still land in the US. Also, just because you are designated on the same flight number, doesn't always mean you are on the exact same plane.
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That's what I was afraid of. The new itinerary only allows for a 40 minute stop. Hardly enough time to collect my bags (if I would have to for customs purposes) and get back on a plane. Especially with a little one in tow.
Maybe I should just cancel the this flight if I can find a carrier that still has non-stop availability. So many decisions...
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Maybe you should call your airline and ask them where you go through customs, although most likely it will be in NC since they will have a mix of international and domestic travelers on the leg to Boston. Also, ask them for a discount since they changed your flight. It never hurts to ask and the worst they could say is no.
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If it is just a stop over to take on new passengers, you may not have to de-plane. You just remain where you are (although one time I did have to change seats).
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You will go through customs in NC. That is I bet in Charlotte. Call your airline if you have 40 minutes between flights since that is not allowed for people going trhough customs. You need at least 90 minutes realistically.
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Definitely call your airline. It has been my experience that you will not get off the plane nor will your luggage so I am not sure how you would clear customs. If they plan on having you and your luggage deplane and then replane (is that a word!!!) I would try to switch your flight if they have another nonstop. 40 minutes will not be enough time.
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I also had this happen with my July trip. If you haven't accepted the changes you can call the customer services and switch to a flight that works better for you. I changed my flight to Cancun so I arrive earler than the one given me. I kept the return thats similar to yours but I have 85 min between my flights in Charlotte NC so I kept it instead of holding over in Philly for 2 and half hours. I also had my Veges non stops cancelled and was given aweful flight times and had no issue switching both flights to better flights. Both trips were with US Air. Check what they have for options and call them. I wasn't charged for the switches either.
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Sounds like you are on US Airways through Charlotte. As a former airline employee, I can tell you it is sure that you will get off and go through customs and immigrations in Charlotte. However, if its a through flight, dont worry about the 40 minutes--its nof enough but they will hold the aircraft until the through passengers are back on board.
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We had this happen with what started out as a direct flight which became a one stop in Chicago. It was after Wilma so they made stops in Chicago to fill up the plane.
You will have to get off the plane to clear customs at your first stop in the US. We had the same plane, but everyone had to get off and get back to the plane.
Definately call your airline.
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